Get Your Read On!

This Week's Lit Events

Oh, the choices that you, dear reader, have to make this week! The next seven days have turned out to be the most promising week of author events in recent Portland memory, but don't fret—the Mercury's here with all the who's who and what's what for you. (Don't forget to check the Readings Listings and Book Reviews for even more author events. LeVar Burton from Reading Rainbow would be so proud of you!)

Friday night, the new and improved art 'n' music zine, Old Growth, launches its second issue with an art installation by JunkTown, Birds of Prey, Mise en Abyme, and more (Acme, 1305 SE Main, 8 pm, $5, $2.50 for bearded people).

Sunday night the wildly popular humorist Christopher Moore hits town to read from A Dirty Job, his new novel about a "neurotic hypochondriac widower." (Cue ensuing snorts and chuckles.) (Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 7:30 pm, free)

Still up for more readings? Good—go to Powell's Monday night for Mark Kurlansky's social treatise on the half shell, The Big Oyster (1005 W Burnside, 7:30 pm, free), and follow it up Tuesday with the Kennedy School's Last Tuesday Author Series, featuring Karen Karbo and Whitney Otto in a "Don't Call it Chick Lit!" dialogue (5736 NE 33rd, 7 pm, free).

Then—collapse on the sofa and watch American Idol. You deserve it. CHAS BOWIE